Reddish-brown staining of the fur is caused by saliva. You often see it in allergic dogs, since they lick their itchy areas so much. Between the toes is one of the most common places. Based on that, I'm assuming the mystery spot is really itchy, and she's been licking and chewing it more than you realize. Best guess? A flea allergy or bug bite of some sort.

I hope all goes well at the vet!

I don't think it's common in non-greyhounds, but could be a corn. There are photos and description at the link below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Corns

If you dog is worrying something by licking it, it means it is bothering it and it is not normal, take your dog to the vet.

Pitch from my pine trees some times gets between the toes or pads of my dogs feet. It can harden and get painful which means struggling to cut it out. Good luck.

Mazer-why are you always so rude? She said she will take the dog to the vet tomorrow but was just asking if anyone might have an idea as to what this might be.Certainaly didn't warrant your snappy answer.Take a chill pill!

from what you are describing it sounds like it COULD be interdigital pyoderma. It often starts with a cyst type growth on or between the toes. Make sure you see a vet as soon as you can as these things always get worse before better. below is a link to compare, see if it looks like anything your dog has.

Here is a link that might be useful: interdigital cysts

Mazer, perhaps you should learn to read. Sheesh.

Anyway, stopped at the vet's yesterday to pick up heartworm medication, asked him to take a peek... he said it looks like a tiny cut that has scabbed over. He said she probably got it while on a walk, from a little piece of broken glass along the side of the road or something. Either way, it's on the mend, nothing to worry about.

In any case, I'm keeping my eye on it. Thanks for the help!

Glad it was nothing serious and that you can feel comfortable about it now.
Mazer-You always seem to jump to the conclusion when someone asks advice here that they are not concerned enough about their pet to consult a vet or that they don't care enough to spend money on their pets.I think this board is for advice,etc. about our pets,so one would naturally come here and ask questions.That doesn't mean we don't care enough to go the the vet,just that we might get some helpful hints that might solve the problem,before spending $$$ for a vet's visit for something that we can solve without it.You neet to learn to be a little more tactful with you responses and stop pre-judging the motives of the poster.JMHO..........Lillie

he said it looks like a tiny cut that has scabbed over. He said she probably got it while on a walk, from a little piece of broken glass along the side of the road or something

Hi cnvh,
either that or a grass awn ( little sharp grass seeds that imbed themselves commonly in the front paws the most)
So I take it the Vet didn't think the discoloration in the web part of the paw was inflamed or infected at all? Well if not that is a good sign. Keeping an eye on this is a good idea as you already stated. Good luck hopefully it was a one time deal. If your dog does get another one though bring a copy of that link I sent you about the interdigital cysts and pyoderma. They can be caused by foreign objects stuck in the foot or by blocked hair folicles etc.

Glad to hear it wasn't anything big!

Yeah, I don't get the inevitable condescension that arises whenever someone asks a health question. It's like you've gotta put in giant letters, "DON'T WORRY, I *WILL* BE GOING TO THE VET." Look, vets are human, too -- what can it hurt to do a little research of your own? I like having some idea of what the problem might be. Worst case scenario, I'm wrong. Best case, I've saved me and my vet some time.

I forgot to mention, vet did say the hair discoloration was probably due to the licking, since it wasn't inflamed or anything-- good call, girlwithaspirin!

I will admit, I have jumped on people's cases (sometimes probably more harshly than I should have, unfortunately) when they post here looking for advice when they really need to be getting their pet to the vet ASAP... but there's a big difference between emergencies and non-emergencies, and message boards like this can be an INVALUABLE resource for getting some good ideas and possibilities to run by a vet if the need arises.

I don't assume that my vet, or my doctor, or anyone with an advanced degree or title is so brilliant as to know EVERYTHING there is to know about their field; if I can help out by doing a little homework of my own, it certainly can't hurt, you know?

Perhaps it would be good for someone to post (or re-post) a list of things which a pet owner should call their vet about IMMEDIATELY, before seeking advice from a message board... there are a lot of pet owners out there with the best of intentions, but just not a lot of practical common sense; perhaps such a list would be a good thing to print out and keep next to the computer or something. :)

My pup Cleo is a Victorian bulldog and used to experience the rustys inbetween her toes and inbetween her pads. She had dry skin. I wipe her feet clean nightly and apply coconut oil all over her feet to avoid her from being in any future discomfort.